According to Sir James Somerville, an earlier family historian (who wrote an abridged edition of William Somerville's, "A Memorie of the Somervilles"—circa late 1600's), the Somervilles were divided into three houses according to the country in which they were very influential.

• The English House
was influential in England from the time of William the Conqueror until the signing of the Magna Carta (about 200 years later). King John didn't like the Somerville influence in that event and the Scottish House eclipsed that of their southern cousins.
• The Scottish House
was born of myth and legend as the founder of that house was rewarded a whole shire for killing a dragon (this same dragon appears atop the shield of Lord Somerville). This house flourished for over 500 years and collapsed through a series of "over indulgences" by one Gilbert Somerville and others.
• The Irish House
came about through the canny management of one or two families who survived the exile of the Jacobites and became businessmen and land holders. Edith Somerville wrote of Irish life in this period through her book, "One Being Irish". The fortunes of this house rises and falls and sends Somervilles far and wide.

The Somervilles have been in North America since about 1609. Some came from England and Ireland, but most seemed to have come from Scotland. The name has suffered much through various spellings (Somervill, Someral, etc.) but most consistent records show landings in Canada (Nova Scotia, etc.), New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Somervilles are found as landowners, magistrates, military officers, clergymen and businessmen. Family members found themselves on both sides of the Revolutionary War and one (Alexander) even served in the First Continental Congress and some in earlier Canadian legislative bodies. In just about every historical episode unfolding North America, a Somerville was involved.

Today, evidence of our family's influence can be felt in every aspect of North American life. Evidence of this influence can be seen through the places named after members of the family; rivers, lakes, canyons, etc. Surely the family in North America deserves to have its own place in the annals of the History of the Somervilles; that of having its own "House". Thusly, "Welcome to the North American House of Somerville!"


POTENTIAL FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN HOUSE

Some of our web site visitors have asked, "Can I join the North American House?" Our answer to this is, "You were born into this house—somebody determined your membership the day you were born." Somervilles and "Somervilles-in-law" are family. Of course, we are tempted to issue membership cards and form more of an official association; many families have. We may still do this.

LOOK AT THE ADVANTAGES:

• Group discounts from gasoline to groceries.
• Health care and life plans.
• Business and professional "networking".
• Welcome from your "family" when you move to a new town or neighborhood.
• Established reputation of a "good name".
• Communications and contact with family members through the Internet and "Kin-pal" letter writing program.
• Genetic counseling.
• A sense of history and security.
• A sense of belonging to a family.
• Counseling and support (for being married to a Somerville—my wife made me say this).

Dick Smith, an Australian inventor and entrepreneur, held a reunion in Australia for everyone named Smith. Every Smith in Australia organized themselves to bring food to share to this get-together. Dick rented the space in a state park. The response was tremendous and a lot of fun. No one cared how directly related they were. Just the fact they were Smiths was enough to have a good time and meet other Smiths. We could do that. Why not hold various Somerville Reunions in each state and province, regardless, and even have a national or "continental" one. Sounds like fun. Why not! We could even sponsor tours to Ireland, Scotland, England and Northern France—a sort of "Pilgrims Progress".

All this will depend upon you, the visitor to this web site and how you feel about the "House". This may all take time, but we can do it!

If you have an interest in being part of the development of the North American House Of Somerville, please e-mail our family historian at "historian@clansomerville.net", and share your thoughts about this idea.